The SA Avalanche, also known as VLA special assault rifle or the AS LAVINA, is an integrally suppressed assault rifle that appears in S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl, S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky, S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat, and S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl.

It is an assault rifle variant of the Vintar BC sniper rifle.

Appearances

Shadow of Chernobyl

This weapon is based on the Vintar noiseless sniper rifle, but it has a folding butt, can fire bursts and has a larger magazine. It was originally designed for special forces operating in conditions demanding noiseless and flameless fire.

In-game description

In Shadow of Chernobyl, it is known as VLA special assault rifle. It is a very efficient weapon for stealth kills thanks to its ammunition, although it features a lower range than other assault rifles due to lower bullet velocity. It cannot mount a scope. Oddly, the weapon exhibits absurdly high recoil when firing full-automatic (about twice as much as other assault rifles), so it is not recommended for use at medium-long range fire.

Acquisition

This weapon is the personal weapon of Colonel Skull, and a few Monolith experts who will attack the Barrier in the Army Warehouses, as well as more Monolith veterans in the later parts of the game. It is also sometimes used by Spetsnaz units, mostly by experts in Pripyat and the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. As well, Exoskeleton-clad Duty experts use the weapon, namely in Pripyat.

The VLA special assault rifle is occasionally sold by Barkeep after retrieving the Documents from Lab X16, as well as Petrenko once the player completes Voronin's mission Obtain an Bulldog 6 from Freedom.

One stash, Package for Duty in the Red Forest, holds this weapon.

Unique variants

• Sniper VLA - a unique VLA special assault rifle that can mount a PSO-1 scope.

Clear Sky

A modified version of the silent Vintar BC sniper rifle, the SA Avalanche features a folding stock, is capable of burst fire and has a larger magazine. Initially intended for use by special units in assault operations that required silent, flashless fire. Uses 9x39 mm ammo.

In-game description

It is arguably the best Warsaw Pact weapon available in game due to its amazing accuracy, good rate of fire, hard-hitting ammunition and low weight (the same as the Viper 5), making it very valuable in Limansk when faced with many Monolith members. Its only drawback is the heavy ammo chambered by the weapon, but in Clear Sky it's not that much of an issue. Its recoil is quite noticeable when firing in full-auto. This may be caused by its bolt mechanism which is similar to the AK-74.

Acquisition

The SA Avalanche is the standard issue rifle to heavily equipped Renegades in the tunnel deep in the Red Forest and the guards stationed in the bridge to Limansk. It is also found on experienced Bandits fighting in Limansk and the standard weapon of veteran Monolith troops.

The weapon is sold by Tooth provided the player has completed Sidorovich's mission to bring back the loot and the Bandits control the entirety of the Garbage. It is not necessary to joint the Bandits beforehand, but doing so will allow the player to buy it for cheaper.

It can be obtained from a stash, Half-buried log in Limansk.

Notable users:

• Kostyan

Upgrades

Bolt mechanism modification (3000 RU) Accuracy +25% Careful adjustment of the bolt mechanism increases the weapon's precision.	Pneumatic booster (4500 RU) Flatness +50% Mounting an interior pheumatic booster increases muzzle velocity.
Operating rod modification (3000 RU) Recoil -25% Mounting an operating rod compensator allows recoil to be reduced.
Pneumatic stock (3000 RU) Recoil -25% The special stock design allows recoil to be reduced considerably.	Polymer parts (4500 RU) Weight -15% Using polymer parts decreases the weapon's weight considerably.
Soft trigger (3000 RU) Accuracy +25% A smooth trigger pull allows firing accuracy to be increased.
Extended magazine (3000 RU) Mag. size +10 Increasing magazine capacity using improvised means

Call of Pripyat

A modified version of the silent Vintar BC sniper rifle, the assault rifle was designed as a special forces weapon. The rifle's primary purpose is effective fire against enemies employing modern personal protection equipment without disclosing the shooter's location. Thanks to its integrated silencer and 9x39 caliber round with a heavy subsonic bullet, the weapon's noise and muzzle flash have been reduced to a minimum.

In-game description

The weapon is versatile with three tiers of upgrades, which allow it to more or less negate the 9x39mm's drop off, while bringing the rate of fire substantially higher. A fully upgraded SA is quite possibly the best stealth weapon available, with its favorable rate of fire, low recoil, high accuracy, damage, and penetration, is silenced without the 20% stat penalty, and the ability to mount a scope, allowing one to quickly take down enemies at close to medium range. The light weight and excellent handling seals the deal.

The one drawback, however, is that the weapon's durability can degrade rather quickly if used recklessly, simply due to its rate of fire. Thus, while it can do quite well in assault roles, it will quickly be worn out after a firefight or two and jam rather frequently, opting one to instead exploit its accuracy and use it as a marksman weapon.

Also, 9x39 ammo is much heavier than 5.45 and 5.56 ammo (60 9x39 bullets weigh 1.4 kg, while 60 either 5.45 or 5.56 bullets weigh 0.24 kg).

If a player acquires a rare PSS-2x scope, it can fill in the same role as its sniper rifle cousin with a higher rate of fire and magazine capacity, albeit with a lower zoom. However, the ability to remove the scope for close quarters fights helps offset this.

Acquisition

The weapon of choice for Duty experts and the majority of Monolith's Veterans and Experts, the SA Avalanche is most common in Call of Pripyat's later stages — if the player doesn't side with Duty in Jupiter, the first chance to grab it will likely be in the Monolith ambush in the Pripyat 1 underpass, or in combat with the Preacher, or from generic Duty or Loners members. NPCs often use the SA Avalanche with an attached PSO-1 scope. Valyushok and Merkulov, who are both scripted to die during the main story, use this weapon and it can be retrieved from their bodies.

This weapon is very rarely sold by Owl at the beginning of the game (5% of chances of appearing in his inventory) but he sells the weapon far more frequently after the player obtains the achievement Boss. Hawaiian also sells this weapon after obtaining the achievement A Friend of Duty.

Upgrades

Impact-resistant polymer components for automatic elements (1000 RU) Reliability +10% The fashion for polymer components has not only paid off, but it has also become quite a popular upgrade.	Addition of a blowback speed reduction device (1400 RU) Recoil -20% A special component installed into the bolt mechanism to soften bolt movement and reduce recoil. Installation of a barrel closing device (1400 RU) Flatness +20% A special component seals the barrel in an airtight manner to increase pressure when a shot is fired.	Automatic round feeding (1800 RU) Fire rate +25% Installation of a mechanism with mobile components that increase round feeding speed when the weapon is fired. Addition of a stopping device (1800 RU) Accuracy +30% A synthetic component immediately in front of the bolt movement area, which compresses it significantly to improve firing accuracy.
Pneumatic stock (1000 RU) Recoil -10% A pneumatic stock is used to reduce recoil during burst fire.	Ergonomic stock (1400 RU) Handling +15% A more modern stock, which takes account of the specific nature of human physiology.	Mobile counter-weight (1800 RU) Handling +25% Installation of a mobile component into the stock, which creates a counter-effect when the weapon is fired. Installation of a bolt assembly gas buffer (1800 RU) Recoil -30% When the weapon is fired, some of the powder gases are removed from the barrel into the cavity behind the bolt, ensuring that it stops smoothly on the way back.
Reinforced return spring (1000 RU) Flatness +10% The reinforced spring is used to increase bullet speed.	Protective return mechanism component sputter (1400 RU) Reliability +20% Protective sputter increases reliability and, more importantly, ensures airtightness, which prevents energy dissipation. Addition of a balancing element (1400 RU) Accuracy +20% A synthetic element installed onto rods ensures that they move strictly as intended, increasing accuracy.	Installation of a distribution link (1800 RU) Fire rate +25% A link that is opened by gases and closed by the return mechanism itself, which allows part of the gas energy to be used to operate the return mechanism. Return mechanism sleeve thickener (1800 RU) Flatness +30% Thickening of the sleeve allows barrel pressure to be increased, improving bullet speed.
Rapid automatic release (1000 RU) Fire rate +10% Despite the name, it is the bolt that is replaced, as it has to endure the consequences of an improved rate of fire.	Protective bolt section sputter (1400 RU) Reliability +15% Protective sputter increases reliability and, more importantly, ensures airtightness, which prevents excessive energy dissipation.	Change to a roller system with a semifree bolt (1800 RU) Accuracy +30% Often used in modern weaponry, a roller locking system reduces recoil and improves groupings. Creeping bolt installation (1800 RU) Recoil -30% The weapon's bolt slides along the barrel, preventing upward movement of the muzzle section.
Increased magazine capacity (1500 RU) Mag. size +10 Replacing a standard magazine with a bigger one.

Heart of Chornobyl

Derived from the Vintar sniper rifle, this silenced assault rifle enables effective firing without exposing the shooter’s position.

Heart of Chornobyl in-game description

Acquisition

This list is non-comprehensive, and may be missing sources.

• Sold by Ragman at a 20% chance per restock and WO Komisarov at a 25% chance.
• One can be found in red condition at the Death Cave, lying on a skeleton, along with a random Artifact and a stash.

Upgrades

Color-coded upgrades are mutually exclusive. Prices based on Stalker difficulty.

Rebalanced Stock (1,500 ) Aiming speed 15% The stock’s center of gravity is shifted forward to facilitate quicker, more efficient aiming.	Ergonomic Stock (3,000 ) Moving while aiming 12% Tailors the gun to the specific characteristics of the human body. Cheek Pad (4,200 ) Breath holding 75% A comfortable head position enables the shooter to hold their breath for longer.

Wrist Rest (2,100 ) Recoil recovery 15% The wrist rest allows for a quicker return to combat stance.	Rubber Layer[1] (4,200 ) Recoil decrease 10% Partially dampens recoil.

Protective Spray for Return Mechanism (1,800 ) Wear and tear from external sources 12% Improves the weapon’s reliability and introduces an extra layer of security by sealing the receiver. Impact-Resistant Anti-Corrosion Parts (1,800 ) Wear and tear 20% The notion of utilizing enhanced alloys as a replacement for steel has demonstrated its value time and again.	Milled Parts Replaced with Stamped Parts (3,600 ) Weight reduction 30% Using lightweight parts reduces weight without compromising reliability.	Adjusted Bolt Locking Lugs[1] (8,500 ) Flatness 15% Reducing powder gas leakage leads to increased muzzle velocity.

Ergonomic Handguard (2,100 ) Aiming accuracy 15% A more comfortable handguard design reduces sight sway when firing from the shoulder.	Counterweight (2,100 ) Spread decrease 15% The addition of the counterweight enhances stability, reducing spread when firing.

Modified Gas Block Geometry (2,400 ) Reduced damage drop-off 12% Enables the bullet to retain energy longer in flight.	Barrel Lock (4,200 ) Flatness 15% This specialized component seals the barrel at the moment of firing, optimizing the use of powder gas pressure. Tin Coating on Barrel’s Inner Surface (4,200 ) Bullet velocity 25% Minimizes the gap between the barrel and the bullet to improve the efficiency of barrel gases.	Return Mechanism Sleeve Tightener (8,500 ) Bullet range 20% Increases barrel pressure, resulting in increased muzzle velocity.

Modules

Scope Mount (6,100 ) Allows the user to attach a range of scopes to the weapon. Tactical Foregrip (8,500 ) Recoil decrease 10% +0.5kg Installs a tactical foregrip on the gun. Laser Designator (7,300 ) Aiming speed 5% Spread decrease 20% +0.5kg A laser designator facilitates faster, easier aiming at short and medium range.

Sounds

	Shadow of Chernobyl	Clear Sky	Call of Pripyat
Draw
Holster
Shoot
Empty
Reload

Gallery

Shadow of Chernobyl

Clear Sky and Call of Pripyat

v · d · e Weapons in Shadow of Chernobyl
Pistols	PMm Noiseless Pistol (PB1s) Fort-12Mk2 Fort-15 Martha Walker P9m Walker 9x18 Kora-919 Noiseless Kora SIP-t M200 UDP Compact Black Kite Big Ben
Shotguns	Sawn-off dbl barrel Chaser 13 Combat Chaser SPSA14 Threaded SPSA-14
Submachine Guns	Viper 5 Viper 5 9x18 Noiseless Viper
Assault Rifles	Akm 74/2U Akm 74/2U Special Akm 74/2 Fast-shooting Akm 74/2 Obokan Sniper Obokan Storming Obokan VLA special assault rifle Sniper VLA Tunder S14 "Tunder" 5.45 IL 86 Balance IL 86 Lightened IL 86 TRs 301 Sniper TRs 301 SGI-5k Sniper SGI GP37 FT-200M
Sniper Rifles	Vintar BC SVDm-2 SVUmk-2 Gauss gun
Grenades	RGD-5 grenade F1 grenade Smoke grenade
Grenade Launchers	Bulldog 6 RPG-7u
Attachments	Silencer SUSAT scope PSO-1 scope M203 grenade launcher GP-25 Koster
Melee Weapons	Hunting knife
Cut Weapons	HPSS-1m RP-74 Mounted Weapon FN P90 M134 Minigun Bulldog-6 m209 "Farshooter" SVDm 2 MAC10 GSh-18 Storming SIP TOS 34

v · d · e Weapons in Clear Sky
Pistols	PMm Inscribed pistol PB-1s Fora-12 Martha HPSS-1m Walker P9m Kora-919 SIP-t M200 UDP Compact Black Kite Modified shooter
Shotguns	Shotgun Hunting rifle Chaser 13 A bandit's Chaser 13 SPSA14 Ripper shotgun
Submachine Guns	Viper 5
Assault Rifles	Akm 74/2U Akm 74/2 Trophy Akm 47/2 AC96/2 Duty member's assault rifle SA Avalanche Tunder S14 IL 86 TRs 301 SGI-5k GP37 FT-200M
Sniper Rifles	Vintar BC SVDm-2 SVUmk-2 EM1 Rifle
Machine Guns	RP-74 Mounted Weapon Tank machine gun
Grenades	RGD-5 grenade F1 grenade Smoke grenade
Grenade Launchers	Bulldog 6 RPG-7u
Add-ons	Silencer SUSAT scope PSO-1 scope M203 grenade launcher GP-25 Koster
Melee Weapons	Knife
Cut weapons	Weapons .223 pistol Bozar Jackhammer Mk3A1 FN P90 Variants AC96sl "Avalanche" Vintar Akv 74 Big Ben "Freedom" Chaser Fora-14 FT 202M HPCS-1 IL86s SGI 5.45 SPSA-AUT SV-Am TPs "Left-hander" Tunder S14sn Viper 5m

v · d · e Weapons in Call of Pripyat
Pistols	PMm Honorary PMm PB-1s Fora-12 Snag's Fora-12 Martha HPSS-1m Walker P9m Kora-919 SIP-t M200 Alpine UDP Compact March Black Kite Steppe Eagle
Shotguns	Sawed-off shotgun Hunting shotgun Chaser 13 Predator SPSA-14 Carabiner Eliminator
Submachine Guns	Viper 5 Frasier
Assault Rifles	AKM-74/2U Snag's AKM-74/2U AKM-74/2 AC-96/2 SA Avalanche Tunder S14 Storm IL 86 TRs 301 SGI-5k Strelok's SGI-5k GP37 FT-200M
Sniper Rifles	Vintar BC Tide SVDm-2 Lynx SVUmk-2 SVU2-A Gauss rifle Unidentified weapon
Machine Guns	RP-74 Zulu's RP-74
Grenades	RGD-5 grenade F1 grenade Smoke grenade
Grenade Launchers	Bulldog 6 RPG-7u
Add-ons	Silencer SUSAT scope 1.6x Mera Night x4 Twilight x1.6 PSO-1 scope PSS-2x NSPU-3 PSU-1 M203 Grenade Launcher GP-25 Koster
Melee Weapons	Knife
Cut weapons	SPSA-AUT

v · d · e Weapons in Heart of Chornobyl
Pistols	PTM Skif's Pistol Labyrinth IV PTM Monolith UDP Compact Deadeye Gambit Kora-1911 Night Stalker APSB Encourage Rhino Model Competitor
Shotguns	Boomstick TOZ-34 M860 Cracker Predator M860 Monolith SPSA-14 Sledgehammer Saiga D-12 Margach D-12 Ram-2 Texan
Submachine Guns	Viper-5 Shah's Mate Viper "Monolith" M10 Gordon Gangster Buket S-2 Spitter Zubr-19 Rat Killer Integral-A Riemann
Assault Rifles	AKM-74U Special Spitfire AKM-74S Drowned Combatant Valik Lummox's AKM-74S GROM S-14 GROM S-15 AS Lavina Trophy SA-U Gabion AR416 Clusterfuck SOFMOD AR416 Monolith Unknown Stalker's AR416 GP37 GP37V2 Fora-221 Decider Lullaby Dnipro Sotnyk Kharod
Sniper Rifles	Three-Line Rifle Honta's "Drahunka" VS Vintar Merc Veteran Mark I EMR Partner M701 Super Hunter Cavalier SVDm-2 Lynx SVU-MK S-3 Whip Gauss rifle EM1 Rifle
Machine Guns	RP-74 Glutton Beast
Grenades	RGD-5 grenade F1 grenade
Grenade Launchers	RPG-7U
Attachments	List of Heart of Chornobyl Attachments
Melee Weapons	Knife